OK, hi everyone! This is basically a list of all the herbs ever mentioned in the Warriors books! A lot of people have difficulty remembering them all (we can't all be medicine cats) but, hopefully, this guide will be useful and help you in your stories.

And, so you can't report me, I am adding a story around it!

Finchpaw was sitting in the medicine cat den, struggling to remember all the herbs and their uses. He had only been an apprentice for a moon, yet Amberleaf, his mentor, sometimes acted as though he should know them all already. What is coltsfoot used for? And what about juniper berries? He didn't think that he could remember a thing!

Are you done sorting those herbs yet?" called his mentor's voice from outside. Finchpaw didn't answer. What was he supposed to tell her? But at that moment, she padded into the den, carrying moss in her jaws. She dumped it on the floor and shook her tortoiseshell pelt. "It's really wet out there!" she complained.

She caught sight of the herb piles still lying on the floor. "You've barely done anything!" Finchpaw didn't trust himself to speak; his throat was tight. Now, he had disappointed his mentor. He looked into her warm amber eyes guiltily, and she seemed to understand how he was feeling. "You're having trouble remembering them, aren't you?" she meowed gently. Finchpaw just nodded his head.

Amberleaf sighed. "You're doing very well, you know. I've never seen any cat learn herbs so quickly! I just sometimes forget that you haven't been my apprentice for very long." Her eyes brightened. "I know!" she exclaimed, and she dashed off into a thick gorse bush. When she returned, she was carrying a thick book under her chin and laid it down in front of her apprentice. "Here, this should help."

Finchpaw was confused. How would reading a book help him? "This book lists every herb known to medicine cat, as well as all poisons," she added, as though she had read his thoughts. "Why don't you read that; maybe it will help you."

Touched by his mentor's kindness, Finchpaw mumbled "Thanks, Amberleaf." He settled down, and started reading...

PLANTS USED IN THE FOREST AND LAKE TERRITORIES BY CATS

Herbs

Alder bark
Description: Bark of the alder tree
Location: Grows mainly in boggy, wet terrain
Usage: For tooth pain
Effect: Eases toothaches

Beech Leaves
Description: Large broad leaves that can be serrated, entire or sparsely-toothed
Location: Grows in almost any soil that is not waterlogged
Usage: For carrying other herbs
Effect: None

Bindweed
Description: Arrow-head shaped leaves with pale white or pink trumpet-shaped flowers
Location: Grows almost anywhere
Usage: Fastens sticks to broken legs to keep them in place
Effect: Unknown

Blackberry Leaves
Description: Leaves from the prickly blackberry bush
Location: Almost anywhere; they are very hardy plants
Usage: Chewed into a pulp
Effect: Eases the swelling of bee stings

Borage Leaves
Description: It is easily distinguished by its small blue or pink star-shaped flowers and hairy leaves
Location: Grows best in forests
Usage: It is chewed and eaten by nursing queens
Effect: It produces more and better milk. It also brings down fevers

Burdock Root
Description: Tall-stemmed thistle with a sharp smell and dark leaves
Location: Best in dry areas
Usage: The root is dug up, the soil washed off, and then it is chewed into a pulp
Effect: Lessens and heals the pain of infected rat bites

Burnet
Description: Has oval-shaped leaves with serrated edges and large clusters of small flower buds on top
Location: Usually found in dry grassy meadows
Usage: A travelling herb
Effect: Keeps a cat's strength up

Catchweed
Description: A plant with fuzzy green balls on long stems
Location: It is common in hedges and other low, shrubby vegetation
Usage: The burrs are put on the pelt where poultices are
Effect: Stops poultices from being rubbed off without hurting the skin

Catmint
Description: A leafy and delicious-smelling plant
Location: Rarely found in the wild; mostly found in Twoleg gardens
Usage: Eaten
Effect: Best remedy for the deadly greencough, which kits and elders often catch during leaf-bare. Can also be used for whitecough

Celandine
Description: Yellow flower with four petals
Location: Grows best in forest territory
Usage: Juice is trickled into the eye
Effect: Soothes damaged eyes

Chamomile
Description: A small white flower with a large yellow centre
Location: Can be found in Twoleg gardens
Usage: Eaten
Effect: Strengthens the heart and soothes the mind. Also used as a strengthening travelling herb

Chervil
Description: A sweet-smelling plant with large fern-like leaves and small white flowers. The roots are knobbly and brown
Location: It can be found in dry, rocky areas
Usage: Chewed to extract the juice from the leaves or root
Effect: For infected wounds (leaves) and bellyache (roots). Can also be used during kitting

Chickweed
Description: Tall-stemmed plants with fat, almond-shaped leaves
Location: Can be found in moist, rocky areas
Usage: Eaten
Effect: Treats greencough, though catmint is often preferred

Cobwebs
Description: Long, thin, shiny strands, spun into a web by spiders. Very common
Location: Everywhere
Usage: Press over wound
Effect: To soak up and stop (or slow) the bleeding. It may also be used to bind broken bones

Coltsfoot
Description: A flowering plant with yellow or white flowers resembling dandelions. Grow best in newleaf
Location: Grows well in moist areas
Usage: Leaves chewed into a pulp
Effect: Eases breathing or kitten-cough, as well as cracked or sore pads.

Comfrey Root
Description: Tangy-smelling plant with large leaves, small bell-shaped flowers, which are pink, white or purple, and have black roots
Location: Damp, grassy places
Usage: Roots are chewed into a poultice
Effect: Repairs broken bones and soothes wounds, also used on wrenched claws. Can be used for itching or to treat inflammation on stiff joints

Daisy leaves
Description: Thick, dark green, oval-shaped leaves
Location: Almost everywhere
Usage: Chewed into a paste
Effect: Eases the pain of aching joints and is also a travelling herb

Dandelion
Description: Common yellow-flowered plant with long hollow stems
Location: Almost everywhere
Usage: The white liquid is thought to be applied to bee stings. Leaves can be chewed
Effect: Thought to soothe and heal bee stings. The leaves can be chewed to act as a painkiller

Dock
Description: Common large-leafed plant with a tangy smell and taste
Location: Doesn't grow well in mountains, best in leafy areas
Usage: Chewed up and applied to scratches
Effect: Soothes scratches, although can sting when applied. Also soothes sore pads

Fennel
Description: Thin, spiky leaves
Location: Found in numerous places, especially on dry soils near the sea/coast and on riverbanks
Usage: Stalks are broken and the juice squeezed into the receiver's mouth
Effect: Helps pain in the hips

Feverfew
Description: Small bush with flowers resembling daisies. Has a sharp tangy smell and small, soft leaves
Location: Grows best along the water
Usage: Eaten
Effect: Reduces body temperatures for cats with fever or chills. Also heals aches and pains, especially headaches

Goldenrod
Description: A tall plant with bright yellow flowers
Location: Grows well on moors
Usage: Chewed into a poultice
Effect: Good for healing wounds

Heather Nectar
Description: Nectar found in bell-shaped flowers
Location: Best grown in shady areas
Usage: Included in herbal mixtures
Effect: Makes swallowing easier and sweetens mixture

Honey
Description: A sweet, golden-coloured liquid made by bees
Location: In honeycomb or bees' nests up trees
Usage: Eaten or given by moss soaked in it
Effect: Soothes infections, smoke-damaged or sore throats, helps cats swallow other concoctions, helps soothe coughing and gives energy

Horsetail
Description: A tall, bristly-stemmed plant, referred to with fleshy stalks
Location: Any marshy area
Usage: Chewed to a poultice and applied to wounds
Effect: Treats infections and stops bleeding

Ivy Leaf
Description: Leaves from the ivy vine
Location: Found in numerous places
Usage: To store other herbs in
Effect: None

Juniper Berries
Description: Purple-blue berries from the dark green, spiky-leaved juniper bush
Location: Grows in places which are not wet
Usage: Chewed and eaten
Effect: Soothes bellyaches, gives strength and helps troubled breathing

Lamb's Ear
Description: Soft, fuzzy green plant
Location: Commonly found in mountainous areas
Usage: Unknown
Effect: Gives a cat strength

Lavender
Description: A small purple flowering plant
Location: Grows in Twoleg gardens. Can also be found in sunny spots or gravelly soil
Usage: Unknown
Effect: Cures fevers and chills. Also a herb used to hide the scent of death

Mallow Leaves
Description: Large, fuzzy three-nubbed leaves from a flowering shrub; sweet rose scent
Location: Grows best near shore, but best collected at sunhigh, when they are dry
Usage: Eaten
Effect: Soothes bellyache

Marigold
Description: A low-growing yellow flower; yellow to bright orange
Location: Near water
Usage: Petals or leaves chewed into a poultice. Juice can be used as well
Effect: Stops infection and bleeding. Used for inflammation of stiff joints

Mint
Description: Downy, serrated leaves ranging from green to purple and yellow in colour. Flowers are small and purple or white in colour
Location: In shady but dry areas
Usage: Rubbed on a dead body
Effect: Hides the scent of death

Mouse Bile
Description: Extracted from the liver of a mouse. Mouse bile is foul-smelling and stored by soaking moss in it.
Location: Inside mice
Usage: Dabbed onto ticks; the only known remedy to get rid of them
Effect: Makes the ticks drop off, but paws should be washed in a stream after using

Oak Leaves
Description: Round, ruffled leaves
Location: All over the forest floor and collected in leaf-fall
Usage: Unknown, but they are stored in a dry place
Effect: Stops infection from setting in

Parsley
Description: A long-stemmed plant with ragged-edged crinkly leaves. Has a sharp scent and tastes cold and fresh
Location: Grows best in moist, well-drained soil, with full sun
Usage: Eaten
Effect: Stops a queen's milk if her kits die, don't need milk anymore or if she is producing too much milk. Also used to cure bellyache

Poppy Seeds
Description: Tiny, round black seeds that are shaken out of a dried poppy flower head
Location: All over forest
Usage: Chewed on
Effect: Can help a cat sleep, soothe shock or distress or soothe pain. Not recommended for nursing queens

Ragwort Leaves
Description: Tall shrub with yellow flowers. Tastes foul to cats
Location: Almost everywhere, especially in cool areas with high rainfall
Usage: Crushed and chewed; mixed with juniper berries, it can help aching joints
Effect: Treats aching joints and keeps a cat's strength up

Ragweed
Description: Ragged-leaved plant resembling a fern
Location: Thought to be commonly found in mountainous areas
Usage: Unknown
Effect: Like lamb's ear, ragweed gives cats extra strength and energy

Raspberry Leaves
Description: Soft to the touch, but with ragged edges
Location: Found on raspberry bushes
Usage: Unknown
Effect: Could be a painkiller or used to stop bleeding

Rosemary
Description: Tall, with needle-like leaves and purple flowers
Location: In dry, shaded areas
Usage: Put on the pelt of a dead to cat to prepare for burial
Effect: Hides the scent of death

Rush
Description: It has long, narrow leaves and lavender-coloured head stalks
Location: Often grows in infertile soils in a wide range of moisture conditions
Usage: Binds broken bones
Effect: Helps hold a broken limb in place

Sorrel
Description: Similar to dock, sorrel is used as a travelling herb
Location: Can be found near Twoleg nests
Usage: Eaten
Effect: Travelling herb

Sticks
Description: Thin wooden protrusions that grow on and fall from trees
Location: Can be found anywhere where there are trees
Usage: Cats in pain bite it when other medicine herbs are unavailable or not recommended. Also used to help broken legs heal
Effect: Distracts cats from pain. Recommended for queens who are giving birth

Stinging Nettle
Description: It has green, spiny seeds
Location: All over the forest
Usage: The seeds are eaten by a cat who has swallowed poison, or the leaves can be chewed into a poultice for a wound
Effect: Induces vomiting, or brings down swelling, respectively. It can also be mixed with comfrey to heal broken bones and helps with wounds.

Sweet Sedge
Description: Thick green stem with long buds at the top
Location: Grows all through leaf-bare. Commonly found near streams or in damp areas
Usage: The sap is swallowed
Effect: Eases infection

Tansy
Description: The tansy plant has round, yellow leaves and a very sweet and strong scent, making it very good for disguising a cat's scent
Location: Found in the forest and near Twoleg places
Usage: To be consumed, but only in small doses
Effect: Cures coughs, wounds and poisons. Also stops cats from getting greencough and soothes throats

Tormentil
Description: It has a strong, aromatic scent and a sharp taste
Location: Found in cool or cold areas, but other types can be found in Twoleg gardens
Usage: Chewed and put on a wound
Effect: Its root is good for treating all wounds and extracting poison

Thyme
Description: Small, delicate, thick, sticky leaves with a fresh tang
Location: Best in hot, sunny locations
Usage: Leaves can be chewed on
Effect: Calms nervousness, anxiety and cats who are in shock

Travelling Herbs
Description: A mixture of sorrel, daisy, chamomile and burnet
Location: Prepared by medicine cats
Usage: Eaten
Effect: Gives cats more energy and strength, as well as stopping them from getting hungry for a long time

Watermint
Description: A green, leafy plant
Location: Usually found in streams or damp earth
Usage: It is usually chewed into a pulp and then eaten
Effect: Eases the suffering that originates from a bellyache

Wild Garlic
Description: Due to its strong smell, it is good for hiding the scent of a certain clan, and disguising cats on raids
Location: Shady undergrowth
Usage: Rolled in
Effect: Prevents infection, especially rat bites

Willow Bark
Description: Bark of the willow tree
Location: Near Twoleg gardens
Usage: Unknown
Effect: Eases pain

Willow Leaves
Description: Leaves of the willow tree
Location: Near Twoleg gardens
Usage: Eaten
Effect: Stops vomiting

Wintergreen
Description: Easily identifiable by its red berries
Location: Oak-pine woods and sandy to sub-alpine places
Usage: Unknown
Effect: Treats wounds and some poisons

Yarrow
Description: A white-flowering plant
Location: Rocky and sunny areas
Usage: Its leaves are chewed into a poultice that can be given to cats or applied to a wound depending on the situation
Effect: Extracts poison from wounds and will make cats vomit up toxins. The ointment will soften and heal cracked pads

Poisons

Deathberries
Description: Red berries from the dark-leaved poisonous yew bush
Location: On a yew bush
Usage: Sometimes used to kill other cats by making them eat it. Is also used in extreme cases to relieve a cat from painful suffering
Effect: Kills a cat within minutes of consummation

Deadly Nightshade
Description: A small shrub with faintly scented, bell-shaped flowers that are purple tinged with green in colour. Berries are shiny and black in colour
Location: Moist, shady places. Often grows in soils which are rich in limestone
Usage: To kill a cat who cannot be saved quickly
Effect: Poisonous

Foxglove Seeds
Description: Tiny blacks seeds from the bell-shaped flower of the foxglove plant
Location: Almost anywhere, especially in temperate regions
Usage: Used to treat the heart
Effect: They can easily cause heart paralysis and death

Holly Berries
Description: Red berries with no medicinal value from the holly plant, which has spiny dark-green leaves
Location: Forests
Usage: Eaten
Effect: Dangerous to kits if consumed, although not nearly so bad as deathberries

Water Hemlock
Description: Green or white flowers with petals in umbrella-shaped clusters
Location: Wet, marshy areas
Usage: Unknown
Effect: Causes foaming at the mouth and writhing. It is the most deadly plant to cats apart from deathberries

THE END

Finchpaw put down the book. Wow! he thought. That really helped! I never even knew some of those herbs existed! Shutting the book, he suddenly realised how tired he was. Yawning, he curled up in his nest and fell asleep.

So yeah, I hope that this helps you as much as it did Finchpaw! By the way, both he and Amberleaf are characters in my fanficton, so please check it out! It's my first one! And I know that cats don't have books; I just thought that this would be the best way to display the information. I do not write stories with human objects in them! I hope this will let you know the right herbs in all situations, whether you are a medicine cat or a writer!